SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In Penn State's two losses this season the Nittany Lions' pass rush was criticized and come Saturday afternoon Brent Pry's group will have one final chance to right those wrongs.
"I hope we've learned from those two experiences against that particular style of quarterback and I would go back to last year to be honest, to the Rose Bowl and to Sam Darnold," Pry said Wednesday. "Those guys that can extend plays and use their feet. They may not be 4.5, but they're very crafty, very nifty and they can extend plays. You put the film on of Washington's quarterback and he is spinning and juking and jiving and all over the place eluding pressure and then completing the pass. We've worked very hard at caging quarterbacks like this, especially coming out of the season and those mid-season losses."
The Lions surrendered 529 and 474 yards of total offense in losses to Ohio State and Michigan State and recorded two sacks in each game. Not consistently generating a rush has been mentioned from James Franklin since the start of the season even after wins and while injuries were part of the problem as starting defensive end Torrence Brown was lost for the season and Ryan Buchholz was hurt during the opening series against Ohio State and didn't return until the regular season finale against Maryland, Pry put part of the blame on his game plan.
Showing off a few new looks in the Fiesta Bowl -- likely with someone spying the quarterback and improved health up front could allow the d-line to prove that maybe they have taken steps forward, ones that were magnified with losses.
"We've done a few different things from a coverage standpoint to allow an extra set of eyes on a guy like this and then we have to win one-on-one battles," Pry said." We've gotta win more one-on-ones and we've gotta do a better job caging the quarterback and as I've mentioned we've got to have a little better of a plan too. I think we've grown quite a bit in that area and we're looking forward to that challenge."
Penn State prepped for quarterback Jake Browning by relying on one of their top scout team players, running back Josh McPhearson. While the Lions also used quarterback Michael Schuster in that role Pry said the defense wanted someone who was going to move around and give them fits, something that they believe McPhearson provided. While it took the running back some time to get used to holding the ball in the pocket, Penn State also repped extra drills where they worked at sending all of their blitzers and not just the defensive linemen to then try and contain McPhearson or whoever else they rolled through at quarterback.
Making sure caging the quarterback is also emphasized in meetings was something Pry hit on too, defensive tackle Parker Cothren said.
"Sometimes four guys there's not enough rush-lane coverage with four guys on particular quarterback," Pry said. "I think you have to take that into account and I have to do a better job going into the ball game understanding that."
One player who hasn't taken the criticism of the pass rush lightly was third-down specialist Shaka Toney. While Toney for the time being at least isn't an every down player, the speed rusher reached out to former Nittany Lion defensive tackle and 2003 first-round NFL draft pick Jimmy Kennedy after every game this season. While the two exchanged texts and Kennedy was on hand to watch the Lions practice Wednesday afternoon, the former Nittany Lion sees big-time production potential from the redshirt freshman.
If that comes through in the coming years that could help solve what turned into a season-long issue that plagued Penn State in 2017.
"Once he gets in his head that he's gonna be a dominant player he's gonna be the real deal," Kennedy said of Toney. "When you watch him his frame and seeing how he is I try to let him know that you got guys that I played with, guys like Jared Allen who showed up to camp at 260 and week 3 he's 240, 230 and so on but the guy plays the run like a monster. ... There hasn't been a game that they lost or a game that they won where (Toney) hasn't texted me and said, 'Man, that play is on me' or 'They wouldn't have scored or I could've done this.' I'm like, 'Dude! The linebacker overran it or so on.' He's like, 'No, I should've made the play.' I was just like, 'Wow.' I love that attitude. He's gonna have a long career."
QUICK HITS
• The Nittany Lions practiced at Notre Dame Prep again Wednesday afternoon and kicked off the session with their Lion's Den drill. They then went into positional drills during the 15-minute portion that was open to the media.
• Saquon Barkley was back fielding kicks during the workout. We'll see if the Lions put him back there on Saturday or not.
• All of Penn State's quarterbacks made the trip, as expected. Jake Zembiec who was injured this season was repping with the quarterbacks but still wasn't throwing the ball as they worked in close proximity to one another. Sean Clifford who had his hand wrapped the last time we saw him was throwing alongside Trace McSorley and Tommy Stevens.
• Athletic director Sandy Barbour was also on hand watching practice. She will meet with the media Thursday, her first session with beat writers since Big Ten media days in July.
• Safety Marcus Allen appeared on the sideline with Barkley at a Steelers game this month. Allen's father grew up in Pittsburgh and while the safety said he's yet to decide on a training facility in the lead up to the NFL Combine, he did appreciate taking in a game at Heinz Field.
"That was awesome," Allen said. "That was a great experience. Being able to see some of the NFL guys up close. That was a great experience. I got so see (Ryan) Shazier in person and Antonio Brown, guys that are dynamic players."
• Players and coaches will meet with the media Thursday for media day, typically the best availability session of the season.
